NEWS HEADLINES

When classes start at Decatur ISD Aug. 15, the district will have an intermediate campus for the first time in eight years.

Fifth grade is moving from the three elementary schools to the McCarroll sixth-grade campus to create an intermediate school.

“It’s like opening a brand new campus,” said Decatur ISD Superintendent Judi Whitis. “It’s going fantastic. Everyone has pitched in to help.”

The change was made to accommodate growth, but Whitis said it will benefit students academically.

“Those grades are a good fit. It’s also a good transition to the secondary world of education. We’re raising the bar academically. Working together, the teachers can do some quality planning.”

The intermediate and McCarroll Middle School will share a cafeteria and gym.

Jim Cain, a former coach in the district, is the intermediate principal. Cain previously was the assistant principal at Bridgeport Intermediate.

“He has a lot of enthusiasm and energy,” Whitis said.

With fifth grade moving, Decatur’s three elementary schools were reconfigured. Young will hold pre-kindergarten through fourth. Rann will house the bilingual pre-kindergarten through fourth. Carson will have kindergarten through fourth.

DISTRICT UPGRADES SCHOOL SECURITY

After a string of school shootings last year, including the horrific events in Santa Fe and Parkland, Fla., school security is on everyone’s mind.

For the start of the 2018-19 school year, Decatur ISD is introducing some new safety measures.

Each school will now lock entrances after the start of the school day, and visitors will be buzzed in, using a new intercom and camera system.

“A secretary or someone up front will see the person on camera and let them in,” said Decatur ISD Assistant Superintendent for Operations Steve White.

At the elementary schools, the visitors will be ushered through a vestibule to the office, but on the other campuses someone will escort visitors where they need to go.

Pointing to the open entranceway at the high school, White said it was a needed upgrade.

Visitors to the high school will need to go to the far right door at the front entrance to use the intercom and camera.

The district has added a school resource officer, and teachers and staff will be undergoing additional training, said Decatur ISD Superintendent Judi Whitis.

White said he is working to update the district’s crisis management plan on each campus.

“Our No. 1 priority is to provide a safe environment for students to learn,” White said.

DISTRICT PLANS FOR CLOSED CAMPUS LUNCH

Decatur High School students won’t have the option of leaving campus to catch a bite to eat this school year.

Decatur ISD trustees voted in the spring to close the campus during lunch. The decision came after a student was involved in a fatal car accident in March.

To prepare for the seismic shift, Decatur ISD officials have made changes to schedules and facilities.

Decatur ISD Superintendent Judi Whitis said the school will have three lunch periods.

The campus has increased seating capacity in the cafeteria to 440. Whitis said students will also be allowed to dine in alternate areas around campus.

The school will open its bistro in the library in November to provide grab-and-go options for students.

Decatur ISD trustees approved the guaranteed maximum price (GMP) of $423,932 from builders Steele and Freeman to construct the bistro. There will be additional costs, including fees and furniture.

NEW EDUCATORS

Rann Elementary School

Ana Marquex, assistant principal

Roby Nunn, principal

Alexandria Amador, TCH

Sierra Boespflug, kindergarten

Courtney Gay, fourth grade

Maddison Patterson, fourth grade

Young Elementary School

Sarah Whetsell, kindergarten

Jodi Burkhart, first grade

Megan Lozano, second grade

Megan Burross, third grade

Mary Mesa, third grade

Ryan Perkins, third grade

Kelsey Scales, third grade

Carson Elementary School

Craig Weston, principal

Tiffany Brubaker, second grade

Andrea Coleman, third grade

Amanda Huerta-Harvick, fourth grade

Decatur Intermediate School

James Cain, principal

Morgan Boles, Dyslexia

Carrie Hordern, life skills

Diana Flores, fifth grade bilingual

Debra Zachary, fifth grade ELA

Keri Little, fifth grade special education

Kimberly Naumann, sixth grade science

Taylor Delka, sixth grade special education

Tracie Berry, sixth grade ELA

McCarroll Middle School

Brett Phipps, assistant principal

Chasen Jackson, counselor

Kayla Weeks, behavior teacher

Torie Talkington, TCH

Donnette Hicks, seventh grade math

Randell Coleman, seven grade social studies/coach

William Chaney, seventh grade social studies/coach

Lisa Barnett, eighth grade ELA/history

Decatur High School

Christopher Mogan, principal

Marzia Infante, assistant principal

Catherine Kelly, counseor

Kristy Phipps, counselor

Kara Rodden, assistant band director

Raegan Baylee, English

Danielle Blair, science

Laura Fryman, theater arts

Yvette Gutierrez, Spanish

Jessica Locke, English

Joey Lukens, special education

Melissa McCoy, English

Christine Mogan, science

Mickey Morgan, CTE technology/engineer

Casey Moore, English

Rachel Petitt, math

Rebecca Robbennolt, family and consumer

Emery Maldonado-Santos, Spanish

Kevin Thomas, CTE business

Tiffany Tipton, family and consumer

Rachel Wallace, science

Alyssa White, special education

NEW PRINCIPALS

Chris Mogan Campus: Decatur High School

“My name is Chris Mogan and I’m the new principal at Decatur High School. I’m entering my twentieth year overall in public education and my twelfth in administration. I have previously served as the principal at Sherman High School in Sherman ISD and at Wakeland High School in Frisco ISD.

“My family and I are blessed at the opportunity to now live and work in Decatur. We were drawn to this community and the school district due to the incredible community bond and values, tradition, and excellence of the school district. This is the place I want to call home for many years to come and consider it an honor to serve the students and parents of DHS.”

Name: Jim CainCampus: Decatur Intermediate School

“I previously served as the Assistant Principal at Bridgeport Intermediate for two-and-a-half years and have over 30 years of experience as a teacher and coach. I chose Decatur because I had a great experience during my time here in Decatur as a classroom teacher, assistant football coach and head track coach. The kids were great – very coachable and respectful. I like the vision of where this district is going.”

Name: Craig WestonCampus: Carson Elementary

“My name is Craig Weston. I am beginning my 20th year of public school service. I have spent the past eight as a campus administrator, including the last three as a principal in Keller ISD. I have come to Decatur to serve a community with a reputation as a growing, thriving community. The opportunity to do what I love–campus leadership–in a district that truly values relationships first and foremost as the key to success was one I could not pass up.”

Name: Roby NunnCampus: Rann Elementary

“My name is Roby Nunn. This will be my 18th year in education. I am coming from Chisholm Trail Intermediate School in Keller ISD where I served as the Assistant Principal for three years. Prior to that, I served as the Assistant Principal at Parkwood Hill Intermediate School, also in Keller ISD, for five years.

“I believe in developing the whole child and am committed to helping my staff develop meaningful, lasting relationships with our students at Rann. I believe that every child deserves the best we have to offer, every day, and that every child can succeed. I love the growth that exists in Decatur, but also the home town feel that it offers. I love that Decatur is an innovative, technology rich, forward-thinking district that puts children first and takes care of its employees. I am blessed to work in an amazing district.

“Outside of work, you will see me playing soccer, watching sports with my family or simply hanging out with my family and friends. I have an awesome 15-year-old son, Jacob, who will be a sophomore at Keller Central high school. I also have an amazing wife, Carolyn, who is a 1st grade teacher at Park Glen Elementary school in Keller.”

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